UK Property Industry Reacts as Renters’ Rights Act Becomes Law
The long-awaited Renters’ Rights Act has officially received Royal Assent, marking the most significant reform of the UK’s private rented sector in more than three decades.
The new renters’ rights bill is set to transform how landlords, agents, and tenants interact, but not without challenges.
The government is expected to release a detailed timeline for implementation in the coming weeks, leaving the industry both relieved and apprehensive.
Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves, welcomed the clarity but warned of fresh hurdles ahead.
“The Renters’ Rights Act brings to an end years of uncertainty, but in doing so, it opens a new chapter of compliance and complexity for landlords.
While it’s positive that we now have clarity, the path to full implementation will not be a straightforward one.
“Many landlords will be wary of further administrative burden and reduced flexibility, but at least they now know where they stand and can begin to plan accordingly.
Once the dust settles and the finer details are clear, we expect the sector to stabilize and confidence to return.” His comments echo a wider industry sentiment, relief that the uncertainty is over, tempered by anxiety over what’s next.
BREAKING NEWS: we’ve won!
Just now, the Renters’ Rights Act has finally become law of the land.
This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. Soon, landlords will be banned from evicting tenants for no reason.
A new era for renters’ rights begins now! pic.twitter.com/gAW7Vh1v0M
— Renters’ Reform Coalition (@RentersReformCo) October 27, 2025
Legal expert David Smith, partner at Spector Constant & Williams, explained that while the Act is now official, most of it hasn’t yet come into force.
“The Renters’ Rights Bill gaining Royal Assent is an important milestone, but it’s crucial to understand that most of the new law is not yet in effect.
While the Act is now on the statute books, the practical changes for landlords, agents, and tenants will only follow once further regulations are made, which cannot happen in less than 28 days.
“Some limited provisions will take effect automatically on 27 December 2025, including new investigatory and reporting powers for local authorities and a new duty not to discriminate against tenants with children or those receiving means-tested benefits.
“That last change will have the most immediate impact. Letting agents and landlords should use the time now to review their policies and ensure staff training is in place before the new rules come into force.”
So, while the renters’ rights bill is technically in place, its impact will unfold slowly. Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at Inventory Base, called it a “pivotal moment” for the lettings sector.
“The Renters’ Rights Act marks a pivotal moment for the lettings industry, moving us from debate to delivery after what seems like a very protracted period of political back-and-forth.
While it undoubtedly raises the bar on compliance, it also provides the certainty and structure that landlords and agents have been waiting for.
“What’s vital now is that the government resists the temptation to keep moving the goalposts. The private rented sector is essential to housing supply, and constant legislative change only fuels uncertainty.
The focus should now be on supporting responsible landlords rather than penalizing them.”
After years of shifting proposals, industry leaders are clearly hoping for stability at last. Sam Humphreys, head of M&A at Dwelly, believes the best landlords are already ahead of the curve.
“For landlords, this may feel like another legislative hurdle to overcome, but the reality is that many are already operating to the improved standards that have now been set in legal stone.
“The focus now must shift to implementation and ensuring that landlords understand their new obligations, that tenants are properly protected, and that technology and process innovation are used to help ease the administrative load that will inevitably follow.”
Digital tools, he said, could be key to staying compliant under the new renters’ rights bill.
Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, noted that while most landlords plan to remain in the market, rising costs and regulation remain pressure points
“The majority of landlords are looking to stay in the market and even grow their portfolios, which is positive for tenants, but there are clearly challenges for those looking to invest in rental property.
“Continued high mortgage costs mean that landlords need to make sure that the numbers still add up when investing in rental property.
Landlords who were considering selling up over the next year told us that legislation changes were their biggest source of frustration.
The government needs to consider this when setting its policy agenda over the next twelve months, otherwise we may see more landlords choose to leave the sector, which will be to the detriment of tenants.”
It’s a warning echoed by many in the industry, reform must balance protection with practicality.
Isobel Thomson, chief executive of SafeAgent, urged landlords to lean on qualified agents during the transition.
“Landlords will inevitably be concerned about the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act and the effect the reforms will have on their property portfolios.
“As long as landlords engage the support and services of a professional agent who is fully up to speed with compliance and processes, they will be well supported through the implementation phase.
There is a lot of detail still to come as well as a clear timeline for the introduction of the measures contained in the Act.
Landlords can be assured that in using an agent they will guided by professionals who know what they are doing and can advise accordingly.
“As far as agents are concerned, we would advise focusing on the actual detail when it is issued by government, including timeframes for implementation.”
Her message: preparation and partnership are key.
Lucy Jones, COO at Lomond, highlighted the long-term positives. “The Renters’ Rights Act represents the biggest shift in the private rental sector in a generation, marking a significant step forward in creating a more professional and transparent industry.
These reforms bring greater clarity and protection for landlords and tenants while also encouraging higher standards and consistency across the industry.
“As letting agents who already operate at the highest standard, we see this as a positive opportunity to support both landlords and tenants through a period of adjustment to the new legislation.
“For landlords, this legislation introduces new responsibilities, and many may be daunted by the evolving landscape.
With many changes coming into practice around tenancy agreements, possession, rent increases, and property standards, expert guidance will be critical to navigating the new status quo.”
The UK’s renters’ rights bill has finally crossed the finish line, but the real work begins now. From compliance to communication, every corner of the property market will feel its effects.
